2021 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Aaron Robinson





  • Aaron Robinson, 6-1/193

  • Cornerback

  • Central Florida


  • Aaron Robinson Scouting Report
    By Charlie Campbell

    Strengths:
  • Smooth cover corner
  • Fast, especially for a big corner
  • Fluid athlete
  • Loose hips; can flip and run
  • Agile
  • Skilled to run the route and prevent separation
  • Smooth in and out of breaks
  • Tough, physical defender
  • Packs a punch as a tackler
  • Instinctive
  • Long frame
  • Defends 50-50 passes well
  • Tracks the ball well in air
  • Skilled to slap passes away
  • Can play off-man or press-man
  • Good run defender
  • Upside




  • Weaknesses:
  • Vision issues
  • Has problems in zone coverage
  • Makes bad reads when asked to analyze too much
  • Prone to paralysis by analysis


  • Summary: Originally, Robinson was going to one of the schools known as “DB U,” committing to Florida. After a coaching change with the Gators, Robinson signed on with Alabama, but he ultimately transferred to Central Florida to get out of the crowded Crimson Tide depth chart. Robinson made the most of his opportunity of returning to his home state.

    Robinson took over as the No. 1 corner for the Knights after Mike Hughes left for the NFL, and their defense didn’t miss him. Robinson had a fabulous 2019, totaling 54 tackles with three interceptions, 10 passes defended and one forced fumble. As a senior, Robinson closed out his collegiate career with 41 tackles and six passes defended.

    For the NFL, Robinson is a smooth cover corner. He has good size, length, speed and athleticism. Many big cornerbacks can’t run as fast as Robinson and lack his fluid athleticism. Robinson is a loose athlete with agility to flip his hips. His quick feet and smooth movement skills allow him to run the route and prevent separation. He has the ability to play off-man coverage and press-man coverage. Robinson’s long frame makes him dangerous on 50-50 passes, and he is capable of blanketing big receivers.





    Unless he goes to a team that plays predominantly man coverage, Robinson needs to improve in zone coverage for the NFL. He has vision issues and some paralysis by analysis. While he improves his ability to play zone, it would help ease Robinson’s transition to the NFL by keeping things simple for him to diagnosis and read one receiver only.

    In the ground game, Robinson is a willing defender who will lower his shoulder and tackle. He gives a good effort and will run across the field to chase down a back. With his size and strength, Robinson is strong to get ball-carriers to the ground, and he will deliver some hard hits. His tackle totals were impressive at Central Floirda, and Robinson should be an asset as a run defender in the NFL.

    Some team sources think Robinson could go late in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but others at projecting him to Day 2. If he slips out of the first round, it looks doubtful that he would fall beyond Round 2.



    Player Comparison: Xavien Howard. Robinson’s style of play reminds me of Howard coming out of Baylor. Robinson is almost identical to Howard (6-1, 198) in that both of them were fast corners to go with good size. They also have ball skills, physicality, and the ability to play man-to-man. Howard was a high second-round pick in 2016, and Robinson could go in the same region this year. In the NFL, I could see Robinson being a corner similar to Howard in the NFL but perhaps not quite as good.






    RELATED LINKS:


    2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s


    2021 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings


    2021 NFL Draft Aaron Robinsons








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